Rise in Vocations

H/T to Gerald

According to the National Catholic Register, "The Priest Shortage Isn’t Over, But Seminaries Are Filling Up"

A Catholic Life recently posted that "Fifty five men ordained for the Legionaries of Christ".

Recently, I read that Eucharistic Adoration is fast becoming a very popular devotion.

Could there be a correlation between Eucharistic Adoration and more men entering the seminaries? IMHO, you'd better believe it!

Prayer Request

Sue, the lady who shares lots of the reflections with me, also has a group of prayer warriors. The following is one request she received.

Please pray for Danny. He is in New York, and, at 61, is now homeless. Please pray with me the Lord will provide suitable housing, and the sustaining means for him to live(before the end of this week). May God's timing coincide with our sense of urgency in this matter.

Danny's original message is below:

Hi my brothers and sisters
I really need your prayers this week for strength and provision as i find myself homeless in NYC at 61 years of age and feeling very, very tired.
GOD richly bless you
brother Danny

Sue usually provides an email where you can send a message of encouragement. However, in respect for Danny's privacy, I will not post his email here. If you would like to send him a message, just post a comment or send me an email and I will relay it to him.

Eucharistic Reflection

Picture courtesy of Aci Prensa
H/T to Sue

"I want to tell them of the poignant sorrows which filled My Heart at the Last Supper. If it was bliss for Me to think of all those to whom I should be both Companion and Heavenly Food, of all who would surround Me to the End of Time with adoration, reparation, and love... this in no wise diminished My grief at the many who would leave Me deserted in My tabernacle and who would not even believe in My Real Presence".

Into how many hearts defiled by sin would I not have to enter... and how often this profanation of My Body and Blood would serve for their ultimate condemnation.

Sacrileges and outrages, and all the nameless abominations to be committed against Me, passed before My eyes... the long, lonely hours of the day and of the night in which I would remain alone on the altars... and the multitudes who would not heed the appeals of My Heart...

Ah! Josefa, let the thoughts of My Heart sink deep into yours.

It is love for souls that keeps Me a Prisoner in the Blessed Sacrament. I stay there that all may come and find the comfort they need in the tenderest of Hearts, the best of Fathers, the most faithful of Friends, who will never abandon them.

The Holy Eucharist is the invention of Love... Yet how few souls correspond to that love which spends and consumes itself for them!"

The Way of Divine Love
Words of Our Lord to Sr. Josefa Menendez

Tips For Dealing With Bullies

When your child is homeschooled there is a less likely chance that he or she will encounter trouble with bullies. However, if your child is in public school (more so than a private school I would think, but maybe there is just as much bullying at those institutions too) there is more of a chance that child may have a bully problem and the parent may not even be aware.

From what I have been reading or hearing, bullying is becoming a big problem worldwide. There is bullying in person but now there is also the problem of cyber-bullying.

The following are TIPS on dealing with bullies:

Bully Tactics

Cindi Seddon, cofounder of Coquitlam's Bully B'ware program, and a teacher as
well as a school principal, recommends the following when your child encounters
a bully:

KIDS
Stand straight and tall if faced with a bully; look him straight in the eye.
Be polite but firm.

Tell the bully "Stop it, I don't like it. Leave me alone."

If at all possible, don't cry or show you are upset. Walk away if you can't hide your feelings.

Report events to an adult you trust. Expect action to be taken.

PARENTS
Contact your child's school, anonymously, and ask if there is a bullying policy.

Then, if assured your child won't be exposed to greater risk, inform them of the events that transpired, including a date, time and place.

Follow up with school authorities. Ask what action has been taken and how your child will be kept safe if his identity has been exposed.

There are websites you can visit for help:

Talk Helps

Take Action Against Bullying

Church Will Always Be Persecuted, Pope Says

But the Cross Is a Blessing

VATICAN CITY, JAN. 10, 2007 (Zenit.org).- The Church's first martyr teaches that persecution will never be lacking in the history of the Church, Benedict XVI says.

The Pope made these comments during today's general audience in Paul VI hall, which he dedicated to the figure of St. Stephen. The meditation is a continuation of a series he has been giving on the first Christians.

Recalling the account of his martyrdom -- witnessed by Saul of Tarsus, the future St. Paul -- the Bishop of Rome explained that Stephen "speaks to us above all of Christ, of Christ crucified and risen as the center of history and of our life."

St. Stephen helps us to understand that: "The cross occupies always a central place in the life of the Church and also in our personal lives," the Pontiff explained to some 7,000 people present.

"Passion and persecution will never be lacking in the history of the Church," the Holy Father said. "And, precisely persecution becomes … source of mission for the new Christians," he underlined.

"Also in our lives the cross, which will never be lacking, becomes a blessing," the Pope added. "And, accepting the cross, knowing that it becomes and is a blessing, we learn the joy of the Christian, even in moments of difficulty."

Love the cross

Benedict XVI said: "The value of the testimony is irreplaceable, as the Gospel leads to Him and the Church is nourished of Him."

St. Stephen "teaches us to love the Cross, as it is the way through which Jesus always makes himself present again among us," he said.

The papal catechesis recalled that the first seven deacons, among them St. Stephen, were appointed by the apostles to help the first Christians who lived in poverty.

The Pope added that Stephen understood that it is "not possible to disassociate charity from proclamation" of Christ.

The Holy Father said: "With charity, he proclaims Christ crucified, to the point of also accepting martyrdom … Charity and proclamation always go together."

The Pontiff's address continued the series of meditations he is offering on the most important personalities of the nascent Church, after having reflected on the figures of the apostles.
ZE07011006

International Adoption: Ask the Right Questions About Child's Health

Dr. Manny of the Fox News organization has tips for couples who may be considering adopting internationally. As a couple who adopted internationally, we were blessed to have Catholic Charities in our corner, as well as the Catholic sisters overseas. Not everyone is blessed this way so it is a good idea to be as educated as possible.

There’s been a growing allure surrounding international adoption ever since the likes of Angelina Jolie, Madonna and Guy Ritchie, and Tom Cruise and ex-wife Nicole Kidman took the plunge.

While it’s certainly an exciting event to bring home a baby under any circumstances, bringing home a child orphaned in a foreign country has a special euphoria attached to it because you know that child will be getting many advantages he or she would have otherwise gone without.

While you should certainly enjoy the emotional high, be careful not to let it cloud your common sense. Adopting a child from a foreign country brings with it a number of health issues that you must be prepared to deal with.

Start ensuring good health for your newly adopted child by learning as much as possible about the child's health history before the adoption. Some questions you should ask:

--Is the child's birthdate known? Birth height and weight?

--Has the child had any illnesses, and if so how were they treated?

--Has the child ever taken any medications?

--Does the child have any known allergies?

Click title above for the rest of the article.

Prayers for a Holy Hour of Reparation During Eucharistic Adoration

This WEBSITE contains all the prayers you will need for a Holy Hour of Eucharistic Adoration.

Prayer for Mercy for the Holy Souls in Purgatory

Thanks Sue!

Have Mercy, O gentle Jesus! on the Souls detained in Purgatory.
Thou Who for their ransom didst take upon Thyself our human nature and suffer the most cruel death, pity their sighs and the tears shed when they raise their longing eyes toward Thee; and by virtue of Thy Passion, cancel the penalty due to their sins.

May Thy Blood, O tender Jesus, Thy Precious Blood, descend into Purgatory to solace and refresh those who there languish in captivity. Reach forth Thy hand to them, and lead them into the realms of refreshment, light and peace. Amen.

Divine Heart of Jesus, convert sinners, save the dying, set free the Holy Souls in Purgatory.

What Do Teachers Make?

Mahalo Brother John!

A thought to ponder. Then thank God for the teachers who helped you.

+++

The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life.

One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education. He argued, "What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?"

He reminded the other dinner guests what they say about teachers:
"Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach."

To stress his point he said to another guest; "You're a teacher, Bonnie. Be honest. What do you make?"

Bonnie, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness replied, "You want to know what I make? (She paused for a second, then began...) "Well, I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could. I make a C+ feel like the Congressional Medal of Honor. I make kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents can't make them sit for 5 without an I Pod, Game Cube or movie rental...

You want to know what I make?" (She paused again and looked at each and every person at the table.)
I make kids wonder.
I make them question.
I make them criticize.
I make them apologize and mean it.
I make them have respect and take responsibility for their actions.
I teach them to write and then I make them write.
I make them read, read, read.
I make them show all their work in math.
I make my students from other countries learn everything they need to know in English while preserving their unique cultural identity.
I make my classroom a place where all my students feel safe.
I make my students stand to say the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag,
because we live in the United States of America.
Finally, I make them understand that if they use the gifts they were given, work hard, and follow their hearts, they can succeed in life.

(Bonnie paused one last time and then continued.)
"Then, when people try to judge me by what I make, I can hold my head up high and pay no attention because they are ignorant...
You want to know what I make?

I MAKE A DIFFERENCE. What do you make?"

THIS IS WORTH SENDING TO EVERY TEACHER, including home educators YOU KNOW.
(And everyone on your mailing list, for that matter).





THERE IS MUCH TRUTH IN THIS STATEMENT:

"Teachers make every other profession "

The Holy Mass

As reluctant as I am to post writings from unapproved visionaries, apparitions, etc. I had to share this one with you. One of my friends shared with me the Holy Mass explained to Catalina by Jesus and Mary. She is a Bolivian women who is said to receive messages from Jesus and Mary:

The following text is the reproduction of booklet, “The Holy Mass,” in which Our Lord and Our Lady explain to Catalina what is really going on during the Mass in the spiritual realm, and how we should be more concentrated on the great mysteries that are taking place.

Bo. Daniel Gagnon, OMI, of the Commission for the Doctrine of the Faith of the Archdiocese of Mexico, wrote about this book: “I do not find anything against the faith or the customs of the Church. It is not my function to confirm its supernatural character; nevertheless, I recommend it for its spiritual inspiration.”

I will share some excerpts with you. Click the title above if you wish to read this in its entirety.

It was the vigil of the Annunciation, and the members of our group had gone to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Some of the ladies of the prayer group had not been able to do it, and so they left their reconciliation for the next day before the Mass.

When I arrived at church the next day, a little bit late, the Archbishop and priests were already coming out of the sacristy. The Virgin Mary said with Her soft and feminine voice that sweetens one's soul:

“Today is a day of learning for you, and I want you to pay close
attention because of what you will witness today. Everything that you will experience today, you will have to share with all of humanity.” I was deeply moved without understanding why, but I tried to be very
attentive...

...The Archbishop started Mass and, when he reached the Penitential Rite, the Blessed Virgin said:

“From the bottom of your heart, ask the Lord to forgive your faults that have offended Him. In this way, you will be able to participate worthily in this privilege of assisting at the Holy Mass.”

I thought for a fraction of a second: “Surely I am in a state of grace of God; I went to confession last night.”

She answered: “Do you think that since last night you have not offended the Lord? Let Me remind you of a few things. When you left to come here, the girl who helps you approached to ask you for something and, as you were late and in a hurry, you did not answer her in a very nice way. There was a lack of charity on your part, and you say, you have not offended God...?

“While on the way here, a bus crossed over your lane and almost
hit you. You expressed yourself in a very non-advisable way against that poor man, instead of saying your prayers and preparing yourself for Mass. You have failed in charity and lost your peace and patience. And you say you have not hurt the Lord?

“You arrive at the last minute when the procession of the celebrants is already coming out to celebrate the Mass... and
you are going to participate without previous preparation...”

...“Why must you all arrive at the last moment? You should have
arrived earlier to be able to pray and ask the Lord to send His Holy Spirit that He may grant you a spirit of peace and cleanse you of the spirit of the world, your worries, your problems, and your distractions so as to enable you to live this so sacred a moment. However, you arrive almost when the celebration is about to commence, and you participate as if it is an ordinary event, without any spiritual preparation. Why? This is the greatest of Miracles. You are going to live the moment when the Most High God gives His greatest gift, and you do not know how to appreciate it.”

Catholics and the New Age Movement

Some Catholics I know do not see anything wrong with Reiki, yoga, the centering prayer, etc. However, according to the following ARTICLE, Catholics must be careful of these Eastern practices:

As a traditional Catholic, an important question I have often asked myself is why do some Catholics turn away from their faith and turn to New Age spirituality? I have concluded that the answer can be found in one word-- PRIDE. The pride comes from the desire to be like God; the same temptation that took place with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. The temptation that says: “You are equal to God. You are the Creator.” These are some of the promises of the New Age Movement.

So what has the Church done to respond to this temptation? In 2003 the Vatican released a major document entitled: “Jesus Christ, the Bearer of the Water of Life.(JCBWL)” I would recommend that not only Catholic Christians read this worthwhile document, but all Christians because new age philosophies have migrated in all cultures and in all walks of life. In presenting this lengthy, 88-page document, Cardinal Paul Poupard, president of the Pontifical Council for Culture, said, “the New Age phenomenon is one of the most urgent challenges for the Christian faith...”

The document specifically identifies the following as new age: Zen, Buddhism, Yoga, Enneagram, Wicca, the Higher Self, the True Self, ALC’s (altered level of consciousness), the “god” within and TM (transcendental Meditation), but yet I am shocked that if you pick up almost any diocesan newspaper, you are likely to see many of these un-Christian practices advertised.

Just wondering what the findings are in Catholics listening to New Age music like Enya.

Were the Early Christian Communists?

Of course they weren't. But the more liberal Catholics try to convince us that they were according to an article in Tradition, Family and Property Click there to read the article in it's entirety.

Wish

H/T to Sue.

Very touching song and video that I'm sure you will recognize

Epiphany Prayer

Thank you Sue.

Dear Jesus, as You led the Three Kings to You by the light of a star, please draw us ever closer to You by the light of Faith. Help us to desire You as ardently as they did. Give us the grace to overcome all the obstacles that keep us far from You. May we, like them, have something to give You when we appear before You. Mary, Our Mother, help us to know Your Son. Amen.

Litany of Mary U.S.A.

Thank you Sue!

Litany of Mary U.S.A.

(private use only)

In 1976, the Shine of Mary Help of Christians in West Haverstraw, New York, USA, held a "Bicentennial Religious Celebration" The following litany was composed for the occasion.

As the pamphlet explains: "It consists of 50 invocations of Mary's help for the 50 States of the Union, each invocation being chosen from the titles of Marian Churches in that State. In response let us pray for the people of each State. For example, when we invoke "Our Lady of Peace of Maine", please respond "Pray for Maine", and so forth."

Our Lady of the Gulf in Alabama
St. Mary of Kodiak and of the Islands in Alaska
Our Lady of the Highways in Arizona
Our Lady of the Holy Souls in Arkansas
Our Lady of the Wayside in California
Immaculate Conception in Colorado
Notre Dame of Easton in Connecticut
Our Mother of Mercy in Delaware
Our Lady of La Leche in Florida
Immaculate Heart of Mary in Georgia
Star of the Sea in Hawaii
Our Lady of Limerick in Idaho
Queen of the Universe in Illinois
Our Lady of Providence in Indiana
St. Mary of Nazareth in Iowa
Mary Queen of Angels in Kansas
Mother of God in Kentucky
Our Lady of Prompt Succor in Louisiana
Our Lady of Peace in Maine
Our Lady of the Assumption in Maryland
Our Lady of the Incarnation in Massachusetts
Gate of Heaven in Michigan
Mother of the Church in Minnesota
Our Lady of Sorrows in Mississippi
Our Lady of Calvary in Missouri
Our Lady of the Pines in Montana
Our Lady of The Presentation in Nebraska
Our Lady of Las Vegas in Nevada
Our Lady of Perpetual Help in New Hampshire
Our Lady of Fatima in New Jersey
Our Lady of Guadalupe in New Mexico
Mary Help of Christians in New York
Our Lady of the Holy Rosary in North Carolina
Our Lady of Consolation in North Dakota
St. Mary Queen of Heaven in Ohio
Queen of All Saints in Oklahoma
Our Lady of the Woods in Oregon
Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal in Pennsylvania
Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Rhode Island
St. Mary the Virgin Mother in South Carolina
Our Lady of the Prairie in South Dakota
Our Lady of Lourdes in Tennessee
Our Lady of the Annunciation in Texas
Our Lady of the Snows in Utah
Our Lady of Grace in Vermont
Queen of the Apostles in Virginia
Our Lady of Good Help in Washington
Our Lady of Victory in West Virginia
Queen of the Americas in Wisconsin
St. Mary in Wyoming
Our Lady in Washington DC
Our Lady of Wisdom, Pray for our Congress
Our Mother, Pray for our President
Our Lady of Divine Providence in Puerto Rico, pray for Puerto Rico

Dear Mother Mary, this touching variety of titles shows your interest in all the States of the Union and their inhabitants according to their special needs. In it we want to tell you how much you mean to us and how close you are to us all, to our mountains and lakes, to our towns and villages, to our homes and our hearts. We sum up all your titles in one when we call you HELP OF CHRISTIANS,
because, as by His love for all men Christ your Son makes them all Christians and brothers unto Himself, He entrusts them all to you as your children.

Amen.

Solemnity of the Epiphany

January 7, Solemnity of the Epiphany

The Three Magi (The Nativity Story version)
by Lancen Crisostomo 14 yrs. old Catholic Homeschooler in Hawaii

Three Magi set on a journey to a land so far,
They were Melchior, Balthasar and cynical Gaspar.
They traveled through vast deserts so dry,
While following a star high in the sky.
In the end their journey was not in vain,
And Melchior showed his friends he was sane,
For in a manger laid a small child,
At his side was his mother Mary, the tender and mild.


Epiphany is a large celebration, especially in Spanish speaking countries. Things look different around the household: the infant Jesus in the manger now has a small gold crown and is wearing regal robes. The figures of the wise men have reached Bethlehem, completing the nativity scene.

The Church extends itself on Epiphany to the homes of the faithful. The custom of blessing the home on this day probably originated from these words in the Gospel, "And entering into the house, they found the Child with Mary, His Mother, and falling down they adored Him." The priest blesses the house if he can be present, but if not, the father of the family may do so.